"The Elegance of Symmetry"
Henry has a soft spot for Damian & Anya. As I re-read through his backstory, I was struck with how his relationship with Martha closely mirrors Damian & Anya. It's no wonder he loves and counsels them.
Henry comes from a higher-class family, while Martha got into Eden on a ballet scholarship. Damian was a shoe-in to Eden because of his Dad. Anya, meanwhile, got in on a spy scholarship 😂
While Henry doesn't judge Martha for the difference, the symmetry here is hard not to notice.
Henry’s tunnel vision kept people at arm’s length, even when his feelings were clear. He stuck to his ideals, denying what was right in front of him. A loner by choice in many ways.
Sounds awfully familiar, doesn't it?
Martha basically asked Henry to his dance afterparty, and he shut it down pretty sharply — arguing that social events were pointless when there were more serious things to worry about.
Sound like anyone we know?
The parallels between the two dance scenes are hard to miss. It begins with that first look, when Henry and Damian both notice the girl they care about entering the room. Same stunned reaction — though Henry’s reasons run a little deeper.
Their dances are both a little scrappy - even though the roles are reversed, this is the cutest parallel!
For Damian and Anya - Henry is witnessing this entire exchange up close. I can imagine the nostalgia that must have hit him as he watched them try to figure out dancing!
They both have a hand skweez moment 😭😍😍
....and an earnestly pleading moment while locked in each other's arms...!!!!
Also, a fun little fact - Henry and Damian are both "anxiety runners" too...😂🥺
Seeing the parallels makes Henry’s guidance feel extra tender. He recognizes his younger self in Damian, & Anya’s sass and cheekiness toward Damian reminds him so much of Martha. More than anything, he wants Damian to have the chance & make the choice he never allowed himself.
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